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 Reporter |
Summary: The Bull Run Mountains are the most easterly chain in the Piedmont, and they protect the headwaters of two major watersheds: Occoquan and Goose Creek. Seven perennial streams originate in the mountains. Approximately 45 miles from Washington, D.C., the mountains are part of an important greenbelt around the nation's capital and are vital because of their proximity to ever-increasing population and development. The Bull Run Mountains are composed of rock masses of metamorphic sandstones called quartzite. They are remnants of an earlier erosion cycle that occurred when the whole Piedmont was level with their summits. The Bull Run Mountains' varied elevation, topography, soils, and hydrology contribute to a great diversity of habitats and species. These ridges provide an isolated, rugged highland terrain within the generally lowland piedmont. http://www.brmconservancy.org/ Trailhead: Exit I-66 at Haymarket and turn right onto Rt 55 west. From Rt 55, turn onto Turner Road. Go over I-66 and make an immediate left onto Beverly Mill Drive. Bull Run Mountain Conservancy is at the end of the street on the left. (Lat:38.8248 Lon:-77.7057) Trail Guides for Bull Run Mountain: Best Seasons: Year-Round User Groups: Hikers, Ranger Contact: Bull Run Mountains Conservancy 703-753-2631 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Joe Cross, who has posted 56 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Page 1 of 2 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Alex on 8/31/2008 We set out to do the Ridge Trail and ended up profoundly lost. The best views are about half a mile past the northern edge of the park on the left side, and It is well worth hiking out of the park to the overlooks, but DO NOT continue north along the trail. If you keep heading north the trail is blazed blue for a while then red then blue again and then up and vanishes like a fart in the wind. We made the mistake of thinking that it was simply not a frequented trail and ended up on a deer path that led to nowhere. If you do the Ridge Trail, go till you hit an area with paths to outcropings on the left and the turn around unless you want to know just how lost you can get in VA. If you get to the rusted 1950s bus in the woods, you are SOL 
Reviewed by edgar on 8/5/2008 This is a great hike for anyone in nova who decides they want to hike yet doesnt have the time to ride to the blueridge. This is a great hike... and the view is well worth the trip up. Try to bring a flash light for the way down and catch the sun set.
Reviewed by EKM on 1/2/2008 This was a really lovely hike, a perfect way to start the New Year. A relatively short drive from DC (45 min), then a refreshing walk through the woods up to the ridge for beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This time of year, at least, the outlooks were VERY windy: I'd recommend a hat and gloves as well as your strongest windbreaker. The outlooks are north of where the Ridge trail technically ends, on private property, but well worth the hike. Thanks for the recommendation! 
Reviewed by Oke on 11/17/2007 They don't allow dogs, which you don't find out until you get there. We risked it and were gently reprimanded about 2/3rds of the way through. We took the Ridge Trail and Ridge Loop, which was not very challenging. If you want a more intense hike take the Quarry trail and turn off on the Ridge Loop Trail--it is a steep climb. We couldn't find any scenery to look at, only trees--but we didn't follow the Ridge Trail out of the Conservatory. No snakes.
Reviewed by Amanda on 9/3/2007 Beautiful hike. Would highly recommend if you're looking for a quick escape from the city. It's an easy drive from DC area, under 1 hour, and really feels isolated once you get up away from the highway. Recommend going all the way up to the overlook (takes you just outside the park boundary) - the view is worth it! I started about 10am on Labor day weekend, and only saw a handful of people on the trail. Including a break for lunch at the overlook, the hike took me about 3.5 hours, but I also stopped and took pics along the way. Enjoyed the bit of Civil War history and the ruins from the local mill house. Very cool. No snakes, but did see a turtle & several deer. *Note the error in directions: turn LEFT off I-66 from DC!*
Reviewed by Rebecca on 8/6/2007 Entered from Ridge Road on Bull Run Mountain Estates. This well worn path took us down onto the west side of The Mountain. There were spring sources and fresh clean water creeks. The rock formations were unique. Off the path a bit we found a large mature oak nearly 15 feet in circumfrinc. This was significant as most of the trees on The Mountain are smaller due to extensive logging decades ago. There were also reminents of stone walls which followed along the path. We saw deer and smaler wildlife. As a resident of Bull Run Mountain we have had several bear visit our yard as we live at the top and I can see now from obvering the rocks formations that it would be easy for them to have shelter among those formations.
Reviewed by jf on 7/7/2007 Started at 6:00 AM on Saturday. Noise from I-66 disappears 5 minutes into the hike. Saw plenty of deer, squirrels, and 1 x turtle. No snakes. You can get a very good vie of the old mill and find out some history. The trench was very cool to see. Several "campsites" created from the abundant stone. A VERY nice hike.
Reviewed by JK on 10/10/2006 We are from out of the D.C. area. There is a problem with the directions to the trailhead. Coming from DC as you exit off the I 66 ramp you have to turn LEFT. Go across the highway and follow the directions. If you are coming from 88 the directions are correct. I like the multiple trails to and from the top so you don't have to retrace your steps. The trail is not difficult. Our party had 3 grandmothers, one 70, one 67 and another 66 years of age. We and the youngest hiker 6 yrs old all made it. Views at the top were spectacular. We were not bothered by noise as some of your other reviewers. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: Virginia Hiking, Virginia Trails, Virginia Hikes, Fauquier County Hiking, Fauquier County Trails, Fauquier County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||